‘A collection of treaties, engagements and sanads relating to India and neighbouring countries’ [‎97] (420/578)

PERSIA—APPENDIX NO. XXV—1921.
XCVll
should be so worded as to allow the Persian Government full powers for the transit
of imports and exports. Conversations have taken place with you on these
questions, and you have given explanations with regard to Articles 5 and 6 and
promises concerning Articles 13 and 20, to the effect that if the Treaty were passed
by the Mejliss you would give all the assistance in your power to ensure that the
two Articles in question should be revised on the lines desired by the Mejliss and the
Persian Government. The Persian Government and the Mejliss are most desirous
that friendly relations should be re-established between our two Governments
and that the Treaty, which is based upon the most amicable sentiments, should be
concluded as soon as possible.
I have, therefore, the honour to request you to give in writing your explanations
with regard to the interpretation of Articles 5 and 6, and to repeat the promises of
support which you have already given as regards the revision of Articles 13 and 20,
in order that the Persian Government may be enabled to secure the passing of the
Treaty by the Mejliss.
I also wish to ask you to take the necessary steps to repair the error which has
been made in Article 3, in which the word “ convention ” was written instead of
“ treaty”, as the only treaty which was concluded in 1881 was a frontier delimitation
treaty, and this is the treaty referred to in Article 3.
I have the honour to be, Sir, etc.,
Mooharos-Saltaneh.
Annex IV.
Tehran,
December 12, 1921.
Your Excellency,
In reply to your letter dated 20th day of Ghows, I have the honour to inform
you that Articles 5 and 6 are intended to apply only to cases in which preparations
have been made for a considerable armed attack upon Russia or the Soviet Re
publics allied to her, by the partisans of the regime which has been overthrown
or by its supporters among those foreign Powers which are in a position to assist
the enemies of the Workers’ and Peasants Republics and at the same time to
possess themselves, by force or by underhand methods, of part of the Persian
territory, thereby establishing a base of operations for any attacks made either
directly or through the counter-revolutionary forces—which they might meditate
against Russia or the Soviet Republics allied to her. The Articles referred to are
therefore in no sense intended to apply to verbal or written attacks directed against
the Soviet Government by the various Persian groups, or even by any Russian
emigres in Persia, in so far as such attacks are generally tolerated as between
neighbouring Powers animated by sentiments of mutual friendship.